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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

1662.0. "Suggestions on Ear Use??" by COOKIE::NIKKII::TRESEDER () Mon Sep 28 1992 17:55

I have a Half Arab/NSH and I can't get him to use his ears.  He uses them
great out on the trails, but when I get him into a show ring, forget it.  I've
tried blinders and I don't ride him for five days before he's shown.  And I
never take him into the arena until show time.  

Does anyone out there have any suggestions??  

Lori
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1662.1KAHALA::FULTZED FULTZTue Sep 29 1992 10:503
What do you mean - use his ears?

Ed..
1662.2Ears Forward?ESCROW::ROBERTSTue Sep 29 1992 11:0313
    Do you mean he doesn't point his ears forward and look alert in the
    show ring?  There are a couple of ways to get him to do this, but I
    don't know if they would be allowed by the rules of your showing
    organization.  One method used frequently by horse photographers is a
    mirror.  The light from a small mirror seems to really get a horse's
    attention.  Another thing that would probably work for you is something
    that works with my horses:  Whenever I'm working with them, I have
    treats like sliced carrots or apples in a plastic bag in my pocket. 
    So they associate the sound of plastic bags with treats.  Well, just one 
    sound of crinkling plastic and their ears are straight up and forward.
    
    
    -ellie
1662.3CSC32::M_HOEPNERthe Year of Jubilee...Tue Sep 29 1992 14:0515
    
    
    Hey Lori. 
    
    Good to hear from you.  
    
    One thing you can try which is legal is to put in ear plugs.  It may 
    make it worse, but may make it better.  The down side is they can't 
    hear you as well. 
    
    You can buy foam rubber plugs made especially for horses (in varying
    sizes).  In fact, you can borrow mine.  EC doesn't like them.  She 
    prefers cotton.  
    
    Mary Jo
1662.4CSC32::M_HOEPNERthe Year of Jubilee...Tue Sep 29 1992 14:065
    
    
    And by legal, I mean legal for Half Arab and NSH classes.  Plugs are
    not legal for Dressage classes.  And you see a lot of hunters going 
    with plugs. 
1662.5COOKIE::NIKKII::TRESEDERTue Sep 29 1992 14:065
Yes, that's what I mean ... but the problem is not when I'm on the ground --
he's always looking for treats then.  The problem is when I am riding him.

What I need to figure out is how to get him more interested in looking at
the surroundings.
1662.6Worth a try.....BUSY::MANDILELow pay, long hours, NO chance for advancementTue Sep 29 1992 14:358
    Place objects in your riding ring that you and your horse
    can walk over, on, around, etc. etc.  But, bait each object
    with a small treat or tiny handful of grain.  Walk him up
    to the object, and make sure he knows there is a goody there.
    
    This trick is what is used to get a horse to look at the objects 
    in a trail class, especially dropping the head to go over the bridge! (:  
    
1662.7valuing differencesTERSE::DOTYMichelle Doty, tech writer, LittletonWed Sep 30 1992 13:128
And to think that I, as a dressage-oriented rider,
feel most satisfied and rewarded when my horse
shows me she's listening intently and exclusively to ME!

It never ceases to amaze me, the variations (on
everything, not just equitation) that people 
come up with and even institutionalize.

1662.8Oh, you want my attention??ESCROW::ROBERTSWed Sep 30 1992 13:229
    re .-1
    
    Yes, Michelle; I thought the same thing.  Some folks want their horse's
    ears to point directly forward all the time, but I'm absolutely
    thrilled when my horse's ears finally turn slightly backward and tune in 
    to me.  Usually takes at least 20 min of "interested in everything
    else" first!   Different strokes, etc.  8^}
    
    -ellie
1662.9continuedTERSE::DOTYMichelle Doty, tech writer, LittletonWed Sep 30 1992 13:286
Oh, I forgot to add that perhaps this horse's talents
might lie in some other discipline.  (It's hard for me
to understand how a horse can be taught to "feign 
interest" in certain environments!  That's more of a 
human ability.  8-)  )

1662.10Wow, she's actually paying attention to me!STUDIO::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralWed Sep 30 1992 14:3413
    I have been waiting to see where this string was headed, as I was
    some what confused as to what the base noter wanted.
    
    I looked over some proofs and I noticed that my mares ears were
    cocked back - as if paying attention to me when I rode her.  In
    halter, they are forward and in lineup they are sometimes forward
    or cocked backward.  When doing a trail course, they vary as well,
    espicially when negotiating a different/new obstacle.
    
    I have been concentrating on pleasure, equitation and dressage if
    it matters.
    
    Michele